LINE: The Characteristics of Line

Last night the class began exploring the different types of lines and their characteristics. Review the notes above for a full description of LINE. The objectives of the projects below was to 1.) explore the various types of line while increasing their dynamics 2.) explore the changes in format and the affect on the lines 3.) create a series of small compositions with the possibility of expanding one into a larger more resolved image.

Hayley Simmons: Line Types

Katelynn Pizzio: Line Types

In our first drawing exercise students chose four different line types to explore. The top row exhibits the individual types. The columns illustrate the original line gaining intensity and strength combined with changing formats.

Jessi Davis: 4 Lines, 4 Times

Stacey Murphy-Brown: 4 Lines, 4 Times

In the second project, students worked exclusively with straight, curved, and angular lines. The forth column illustrates the combining of all three. Again, the dynamics of the lines are increased moving down the columns to the circular format aka "tondo."

At the end of the night students chose one thumbnail from the projects above to expand into a more resolved image.

 Amber's drawing is reminiscent of a rolling and tumbling landscape of overlapping hills. A strong tension and pulling effect is created with the lines arcing inward toward the center.

Melissa Milks

 Melissa's drawing is very elegant and lyrical. The fluid, flowing lines are very musical. Each line and dot representing a different sound or instrument.

Victoria Le

Victoria's drawing evokes a cosmic landscape complete with light waves and reflections, asteroid belts and a cloud of gas that seems to be peeling back space in the upper left hand corner.

LINE: Characteristics and Dynamics

Yesterday class began with a discussion on the characteristics and qualities of different kinds of Line. The first drawing was an inventory of four different kinds of line. Hayley's drawing below illustrates straight lines and curved lines with varying degrees of velocity. The dynamics increase in power and intensity towards the bottom of the paper. Notice how the changes in format influence the stretching, pulling and compacting of the lines within.

Hayley Irvin

The second drawing focused on straight lines, curved lines, angular lines and the combination of all. Sarah's drawing clearly illustrates how thicker lines advance in space while thinner lines recede. The spaces with one type of line are very unified whereas the combination of different lines adds variety and dynamics increasing the visual interest of the images.

Sarah Greathouse

We finished the day with a series of line drawings addressing shape, texture and depth within a composition. Tayler's drawing is an example of a symmetrically balanced composition with accented lines around the circles reinforcing their position in space. In addition, the rows of circles implies a linear path. The horizontal lines add texture as well as value increasing the sense of depth. Note how the lines get closer together as they recede.

Tayler Marsh

Heather's drawing is asymmetrically balanced. Depth is created primarily by overlapping forms and changing the size from large to small. The parallel lines on the frame shapes add texture and value providing a surface that stands apart from the background.

Heather Monnot-Griffith

LINE: Characteristics of Line

Class began with a slide lecture on the characteristics and types of line. The first drawing was a line inventory. Students explored the qualities and differences of four different types of lines. Belen's drawing illustrates straight, curving, zig-zag and looping lines. By expanding and zooming in on the lines as she moves down the columns, the negative space is diminished increasing the tension and its relevance within the composition.

Belen Chavez Silva

The second drawing was an exercise called Four Lines, Four Times. The objective was to explore the advantages of working with a singular line family as well as a combination of multiple line families. All students used straight, curved and angular lines and a mix of the three together. Notice how the overall weight of the page increases moving down the columns. Although Nancy has clearly addressed three different types of line, the bold, graphic nature of her renderings create a sense of unity across the entire paper. The last column of combinations is especially successful taking advantage of the qualities of each line family to create a very dynamic and compelling shape.

Nancy Aguilar

LINE: Inventory and 4 Lines, 4 Times

Today we discussed the various types of lines: straight, curved, angular and implied.  Followed by the characteristics of line: 1. gesture- quick and spontaneous, 2. contour- slow and deliberate, 3. cross-contours- topographical lines circling the surface of an object, 4. calligraphic- swelling, thick and thin like handwriting 5. impersonal- cold and mechanical; even thickness and lastly 6. ghost lines- erased. Furthermore, lines can exhibit and evoke qualities like calmness, stability, animation and energy. In addition, when lines are accented or change thickness they may appear to advance or recede, suggest lightness and darkness, or a sense of weight. 

Line Inventory by Mary Carrol

Four Lines, Four Times by Emily Goh